Episode 2 — You Are Not Meant To Do All Of This Alone — with Tom Williams

As a young adult, you don’t have to just ball up your fists, grit your teeth and try to make it through whatever you’re going through. It’s okay to take time for you. To work on yourself. To actually get to a place where you can come up with a plan and then execute that set plan. You don’t have to try to fake it until you make it all alone, just to get your degree ‘on time’ and that piece of paper because you were told to. Sending a kid out with a backpack and 1 therapy session isn’t always enough. Sometimes there needs to be more attention and a more family orientated program. Tom Williams, Community Outreach Specialist for Red Oak Recovery, would have greatly benefited going to treatment and finding an alternate plan in his early adulthood. After Tom’s father passed at the age of 15, he quickly turned to substances to try to help him put on a mask and act like nothing was really wrong. He continued to do so through the rest of high school and for another 7 years in college. Looking back, Tim wishes that he had made the choice to take himself out of college and work on bettering himself, but sees it as an experience that brought him to where he is today. Tom started his career in the mental health field as an admission’s counselor for a Wilderness Therapy program. There Tom found himself in many different roles and ultimately as the Director of Admissions and Utilization Review. In 2019, he transitioned over to outreach for Red Oak Recovery, a trauma informed program that served adolescents and young adults. Through personal and anecdotal experience, Tom’s passion for people has compelled him to help others on their personal journey through recovery. There is nothing more special for Tim than getting the opportunity to help someone find peace and happiness in their life. On this episode of Success is Subjective, Tim joins Joanna to share his journey going from the troubled young person, who once needed something like Red Oak Recovery the majority of his early adult years, to now working at Red Oak, to help others, help themselves. Tom’s tough personal experience going through his hardships alone, allows him to be a light for young adults. Listen in for insight on how Tom’s passion for connecting with people has compelled him to help others on their personal journey through recovery, working to understand themselves and discover where their individual happiness lies. What You Will LearnHow college was expected for everyone growing up in Tom’s childhoodThe sudden death of Tom’s father while in high schoolThe decline with Tom’s grades and mental healthWhen drugs entered Tom’s lifeThe experience with a girl that caused more pain for Tom in high schoolMuddling through college and what it’s like to get sober on your ownTom’s advice to a parent of a struggling young adult to have the tough conversationsConnect with Tom WilliamsSince this original recording, Tom has transitioned from working for Red Oak Recovery to now Sabino Recovery.Reach Tom at: 919-619-4199 Connect with Joanna Lilley  Lilley ConsultingLilley Consulting on Instagram Lilley Consulting on Facebook Sponsored by: www.ParentTrainers.comEmail [email protected]